U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, requesting the Dept. of Justice continue its investigation into allegations of misconduct of the Eastern District U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Danziger Bridge fallout.

In the letter, Richmond says that Kenneth Polite, the newly-appointed U.S. attorney for the district, should not begin his role burdened by investigating his staff.

In a scathing order released on Sept. 17, a federal judge granted a request for new trials for five former New Orleans police officers convicted of civil rights violations stemming from deadly shootings on a bridge in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

U.S. District Judge Kurt Engelhardt ruled that the "highly unusual, extensive and truly bizarre actions" of prosecutors warrant throwing out the officers' convictions. The reference relates to, among other things, leaks to certain media outlets and online remarks posted by members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office during the course of proceedings.

The scandal led to several resignations last year – including that of U.S. Attorney Jim Letten – and a formal Department of Justice investigation.